These are the stories of us. These are the anecdotes of our days. This is the good bad and ugly (mostly good) of our not so unique, large (but not as large as some) family, living life to the fullest. Some of us might not have the average number of years generally allotted but we will fill each of those years with the celebration of family, friends and life

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Was called by the seven year old's school to come to a meeting revealing the results of psychological testing done a couple months ago. It will give us a standardized picture of where her strengths and weakness are, an overall best guess at her IQ and ultimately lead to how to best approach her academically.

During the call I said to the psychologist that I knew what the results would be as far as scores and suggested to her that my dolly was nothing short of gifted.

The psychologist lady's response was guarded as you know she had to save the big reveal until the meeting tomorrow so she would only go so far as to say "well I don't know that she is gifted

I didn't have her finish because I know....we all know what she wanted to say....

Sunday, April 27, 2014

GloriaAllen

Gloria Allen January 3, 1939 - April 9, 2014 April 9, 2014 at eleven o'clock pm Gloria Joan Allen took her last breath soon after her loving husband Bill gave her final kiss goodnight. Gloria was also surrounded by four of her children, a step daughter and some of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her passing was sudden, unexpected and met with great sadness, longing and loss.

Gloria was born in England and immigrated with her parents and two of her three siblings to Canada at the age of sixteen, became a young bride at seventeen to Tom Wheatley and began growing their family of five children at age eighteen.

In 1969 Gloria and Tom divorced and as it was during those times Gloria raised the children primarily independently. There were difficulties, challenges and health scares but in the end Gloria prevailed. If raising five children was not enough Gloria became a foster parent preparing newborns to be received by their adoptive families usually about two to twelve weeks after she received them. It is to be sure that no baby was more cherished and set up with sweater sets so lovingly knit by Gloria herself. She also expanded her knitting talents to outfit the intensive care nurseries with hats and booties.

In 1979 Gloria married her beloved Bill (Jack). Together they travelled back and forth to the states and to visit family in BC. They continued to foster babies for a few more years sometimes having two at a time. After they discontinued offering refuge to vulnerable children Gloria volunteered as a "cuddle mum", going into the hospital to hold and feed premature babies. Gloria also was employed with Post Partum Helpers where she supported new mothers as they adjusted to their new roles and babies. After moving on from babies Gloria then volunteered at the Beverley Care Center. Gloria was happiest when she was productive and helping others. She also enjoyed participating in her water aerobics with her friends.

Monday, April 14, 2014

I was asked if I wanted to be considered for a three month old with Down syndrome.

Hell ya!

Family wants married couple with no other children.

Boo!

I still see his profile show up on my Facebook. The family wants to place immediately but it seems no one is meeting the mark for them. I see today they are now willing to accept families with one other child...

Boo again!

My provincial home assessment is finally underway! (Different than private)

Halleluja!

Only have had one interview, today's was cancelled and interviewer STILL does not have all the information transferred to her from the province that she needs!

Stupid!

The biggest thing...the worst thing.....

My mother died....

Horrible! Unexpected! Too soon! So much left undone! Soo many regrets. Guilt.

Flying together in Heaven

These two shared a love for each other. It didn't matter how long it was between visits Ailish would hear Grandma's voice and would immediately smile and vocalize in a different way than she would do for others.

I post this picture because it makes me laugh. I saw that look directed at me a lot in my childhood but this time it was in a good way, as in a "oh you shouldn't have!" sort of way.